Lachlan Howland of Golden Pastoral is so confident in the Square Meaters breed, he will buy any purebred to finish and supply directly to willing abattoirs and butchers.
Mr Howland has proven Square Meaters meet the high industry standards for both the domestic beef market and butcher trade.
“We are looking for more breeders to supply us with Square Meaters and Square Meaters-cross cattle,“ he said.
Square Meaters are a moderate-framed Australian breed of beef cattle.
Mr Howland said their capacity to finish on grass allowed breeders to claim that their cattle were sustainable under Australian grazing conditions.
“You can run more Square Meaters cows per hectare compared to traditional British or European breeds because, as soon as a calf is weaned, it is being finished, not grown out for another 12 months,“ Mr Howland said.
“For consumers, they offer nicely portioned cuts of beef with exceptional eating quality. The cattle are bred to finish on grass and fit sustainably in the Australian temperate climate.“
Square Meaters reach their mature size relatively early therefore can put their energy into producing a quality carcass or feeding a calf while other breeds continue to grow.
“Our point of difference is that while other breeds are being backgrounded, we are finishing our bodies,“ Mr Howland said.
“Square Meaters cows will typically wean a calf more than 50 per cent of her own body weight. She will hold on when conditions deteriorate and bounce back quickly when they improve.“
Square Meaters were established as a breed to provide premium beef to the domestic market.
Early maturity, heavy muscling and even fat cover are the genetic traits that allow the breed to consistently provide eight to nine month weaners of 225 – 275 kilograms or 12 to 14-month yearlings of 400 – 420kg off grass.
“This makes them an ideal fit with the domestic market specifications and pasture-fed assurance certification,“ Mr Howland said.
“They are perfectly suited to the highly variable Australian temperate climate and have an ability to hold condition in hard times and flourish in normal conditions.“
Square Meaters consistently punch above their weight in hook and hoof shows, winning numerous live and carcass awards at major shows across the country.
They also perform exceptionally well in virtual taste-test contests. The inherent traits of docility, muscularity and early finishing ability means Square Meaters will produce tasty and tender premium beef cuts.
They are a home-grown Australian success due to the breed creator, Rick Pisaturo seeking to provide better beef for his customers in the 1990s.
Rick sought to develop a breed to suit this market and decided that only through the selection of pre-1970s type Murray Grey cattle could he produce the carcass that met the local market criteria.
In 1993 Rick commenced the development of the Square Meaters cattle with traits to meet the butcher market and for those discerning breeders who saw the value in the breed and the product produced.
* For more information please contact Lachlan Howland, Golden Pastoral Company, Redland Bay Region on 0400 030 222.
